Ripper tooth for backhoe

ABSTRACT

A RIPPER TOOTH ATTACHMENT FOR A BACKHOE, ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO A STANDARD FORM OF BACKHOE WITHOUT STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION, AND SUSCEPTIBLE OF BEING LEFT ATTACHED WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH NORMAL OPERATION OF THE BACKHOE.

Nov. 14, 1972 a. F. CAIRNS m 3,702,712

RIPPE'R TOOTH FOR BACKHOE Filed July 22, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BENJAMIN F CAIKNSJII INVENTOR BY Q'qugmylf ATTORNEY 1972 a. F. CAIRNS m 3,702,712

RIPPER TOOTH FOR BACKHOE Filed July 22, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR L/ BENJAMIN FCAIRNS, 111

ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,702,712 Patented Nov. 14, 1972 3,702,712 RIPPER TOOTH FOR BACKHOE Benjamin F. Cairns Ill, West Point, Pa., assignor to James J. Devery, Kulpsville, Pa. Filed July 22, 1971, Ser. No. 169,567 Int. Cl. 1502f 3/76 US. Cl. 29967 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ripper tooth attachment for a backhoe, adapted for attachment to a standard form of backhoe without structural modification, and susceptible of being left attached without interfering with normal operation of the backhoe.

This invention relates to an improved ripper tooth attachment for backhoes. In the operation of a backhoe, where the ground is hard or frozen, it is frequently impossible for the backhoe bucket to enter the ground to operate effectively. Under such circumstances, some means is needed for breaking up the hardened ground before backhoe can operate effectively. Various proposals have been made for attaching a ripper tooth to the backhoe to perform this operation. In general such proposals have involved substantial modification to the structure of the backhoe or its bucket. Moreover, when attached, the ripper tooth tended to interfere with operation of the backhoe bucket, and it was necessary to remove the ripper tooth to achieve effective operation of the hoe for its usual function.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple form of ripper tooth attachment which can be attached to the backhoe without any appreciable modification of the normal structure thereof, which can operate effectively to perform the ripping operation by appropriately positioning the bucket of the backhoe by using its normal actuating elements, and which can be made to assume a position such as not to interfere with the operation of the bucket for digging operations.

In accordance with the invention a ripper tooth is provided which may be attached to the support brackets of the backhoe bucket using the same means which are employed to connect the bucket actuating arm to the brackets. The ripper tooth is pivoted on such means so that it is movable into its operating position simply by moving the bucket out of its normal digging position, and so that it is movable to an inactive position proximate to the back side of the bucket when the bucket is moved into its digging position through actuation of its associated actuating arm. In the latter position the ripper tooth will generally be so located as not to interfere with the operation of the bucket for digging operations. However, if desired, a pin or other suitable means may be provided for retaining the ripper tooth in its inactive position despite normal motions of the bucket.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the form of the ripper tooth in accordance with the invention and its mode of attachment to the backhoe bucket;

FIG. 2 shows a conventional backhoe with the ripper tooth of the present invention in its operating position for effecting the ripping operation;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view showing the backhoe bucket and the associated ripper tooth in position for the ripping operation; and

FIG. 4 is a similar enlarged view showing the backhoe bucket and the associated ripper tooth with the bucket in its digging position and the ripper tooth in its inactive position proximate the back side of the bucket.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional backhoe bucket 1 having substantially parallel support brackets 2 and 3 afiixed to its back side. Holes 4 and 5 are provided in the upper portions of brackets 2 and 3 for pivotally connecting the bucket to the backhoe boom 7 through hole 6 by means of pin 8. The backhoe is provided with conventional actuating arms 9 and 10, the lower end of arm 10 being connected to the brackets 2 and 3 by means of a pin 15 traversing suitably hushed holes 11 and 12 in the brackets 2 and 3 and also traversing a hole in the central portion of the ripper tooth 16 which may be provided with a suitable insert 17 and replaceable bushing 18. The lower portion of ripper tooth 16 may be provided with a replaceable point 19 having a hardened digging surface 20, said point being affixed to the lower portion of the ripper tooth by a pin 21 or other suitable fastening means. The upper extremity of ripper tooth 16 is formed to position itself against the back side of the backbone bucket 1 when the ripper tooth is in its operating position, and a pad 22 may be affixed to said upper extremity to distribute the force exerted against the back side of the bucket and prevent damage thereto. If desired this pad may be affixed to the back of the bucket instead of to the end of the ripper tooth.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a conventional backhoe assembly 25 attached to a tractor 26, the bucket 1 of the backhoe assembly being elevated so as to permit the ripper tooth 16' in accordance with the present invention to automatically assume its operating position under the action of gravity.

In the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the backhoe bucket 1 again is shown in its inactive position and the ripper tooth 16 is shown in its active position with its upper end positioned against the back of the backhoe bucket and its hardened tip 20 in a position to dig into the ground 27.

In the enlarged view of FIG. 4, the backhoe bucket 1 is shown with its forward edge 28 about to dig into the ground 27 and the ripper tooth 16 in its inactive position against the back of the backhoe bucket. If desired it may be retained in this position by pin 29 passing through a hole in the ripper tooth and through holes in the backhoe bucket brackets 2 and 3, which holes may be alternate holes provided in said brackets for attaching the lower end of actuating arm 10, said holes commonly being provided in said brackets to permit a different range of movement of the backhoe bucket during digging operations.

It will be seen that the invention provides a very convenient way of attaching a ripper tooth to a backhoe assembly without need for modification of the normal structure thereof, and without interfering with use of the backhoe for its normal function. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a backhoe assembly comprising a boom for supporting and operating a backhoe bucket, a bucket having a pair of substantially parallel support brackets aflixed thereto, a pivotal connection between said support brackets and said boom, actuating means pivotally connected to said brackets for varying the position of said bucket relative to said boom, and a ripper tooth pivotally connected to said brackets by the same means which pivotally connects said actuating means to said brackets.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which said ripper tooth is formed so that, when said bucket is positioned for digging, said ripper tooth assumes an inactive position proximate to the back of said bucket such as not to interfere with the use of said bucket for digging, and so that, by altering the position of said bucket, and ripper tooth is caused to assume a position away from the back of said bucket, in which it is able to effect ripping without interference from said bucket.

3. The combination according to claim 2 including additionally means for retaining said ripper tooth in its inactive position when said bucket is being used for digging.

4. The combination according to claim 2 in which said actuating means is pivotally connected to said brackets by a pin traversing holes in said brackets, in which said ripper tooth is provided with a hole also traversed by said pin, said ripper tooth having portions extending in opposite directions from said hole, one portion being constructed to perform effective ripping and the other portion being adapted to engage the back of said bucket to maintain said ripper tooth in a suitable position for ripping.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,833 2/1955 Small 29936 X 2,840,931 7/1958 Appel 37-117.5 3,596,996 8/1971 Carter 29967 X ERNEST R. PURSER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 371l7.5; 299-26 mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3. 702. 712 Dated November 14, 1972 Inven B F. Cairns III It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' insert the Column 2, line 21,

Column 1, line 25, after "before' Column 3, line 6, "and" (second 'backbone" should read backhoe occurrence) should read said Signed and sealed this 13th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

